Weerapol Wichuma demonstrated superior performance by flawlessly completing both the snatch and clean and jerk lifts, then broke world records in the clean and jerk and total weight categories, securing the gold medal in the men's 71 kg class at the 2025 SEA Games.
On 14 December 2025, during the weightlifting competition at the 2025 ASEAN SEA Games, the highlight was 21-year-old powerhouse “Wave” Weerapol Wichuma, the 2024 Olympic silver medalist and holder of two gold medals from the 2025 World Weightlifting Championships, who triumphantly claimed the gold in the men’s 71 kg category while setting new world records.
Weerapol began the competition with the snatch, displaying confidence worthy of a world champion by successfully lifting 142, 147, and 152 kilograms on his three attempts, establishing a commanding lead over his rivals from the start.
Moving to the clean and jerk, Wave maintained his world-class standard by easily lifting 185 kilograms. He then confidently attempted 195 kilograms on his second lift and succeeded, breaking his own previous world record of 194 kilograms.
This lift brought Weerapol’s total to 347 kilograms, setting a new world record and surpassing his earlier mark of 346 kilograms. As a result, he did not need to attempt a third lift, having already secured the gold medal.
Beyond winning the men’s 71 kg gold, Weerapol’s achievement marked the fifth gold medal for the Thai weightlifting team at the 2025 SEA Games, further cementing the Thai team’s dominance in the ASEAN weightlifting arena.
Previously, the Thai weightlifting team had delivered outstanding performances, including:
Women’s 48 kg category: Silver medalist Thanyathorn Sukkharoen
Men’s 60 kg category: Gold medalist Theerapong Silachai
Women’s 53 kg category: Gold medalist Surachana Khambaanam
Men’s 65 kg category: Gold medalist Patsapong Thongsuk
Women’s 58 kg category: Gold medalist Suraswadi Yodsarn
Men’s 71 kg category: Gold medalist Weerapol Wichuma